Doncaster bride on marks for Santa Dash race

Jenny Carr, 31, who will be taking part in the Santa dash in her wedding dress. Picture: Malcolm Billingham

Published:16:09Thursday 05 December 2013

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Sporty Jenny Carr will enjoy a honeymoon with a difference this weekend – when she races around Sandall Park in her wedding dress being chased by scores of people dressed up as Santa.

Jenny, aged 31, will be taking part in the annual Doncaster Santa Dash just a couple of days after tying the knot with husband Adrian Aimson, 30, at Doncaster Register Office.

The Doncaster Council employee will be donning her dress for the ceremony tomorrow – and she’ll be back in it again on Sunday morning for the fundraising event organised by the Friends of Sandall Park volunteer group.

She said: “It all started out as a bit of a joke, but I thought it would be a bit of fun.

“We just got talking about it and someone said ‘why don’t you run it in your wedding dress?’ and it just snowballed from there.”

Jenny admits that she hasn’t been able to practise for the event in her dress – but is looking forward to the challenge.

She said: “I did it last year and was the first woman to cross the line but I think it might be a bit more difficult this year.”

And she is hoping that her outfit will survive the one- mile race intact.

She added: “I am going to get it dry-cleaned, so I hope it’s not too muddy.”

“My husband is totally fine with it and thinks it’s a good idea. I am expecting a few strange looks on Sunday morning, but it’s all for a good cause and I’m sure it will give people a few laughs.”

She added: “Hopefully it will raise the profile of the Friends of Sandall Park group and get people interested in what’s going on down there.”

The group was set up several years ago with the intention of restoring the park to its former glory.

In recent years, the team of volunteers behind the organisation have introduced a string of improvements including new children’s play equipment, landscaping and flower planting.

There have also been a series of concerts, including the annual Fake Festival, the weekly Parkrun and other activities which have all helped to boost visitors numbers to the park which is one of Doncaster’s biggest.

The work has led to chairman Sandra Crabtree collecting a string of top awards.

There’s still time to join in the festive fun at the park

There is still time to sign up for the one mile event which gets underway at 11am on Sunday.

Entry is £10 on the day for adults and £5 for children with entrance fee for adults including a full Santa suit and medal and antlers and a medal for children.

There is also a family entrance fee for two adults and two children at £25.

The warm-up begins at 10.45am and there will also be a prize for the best- dressed dog.